Fastest of the Woods

VI

Hours later, Holly and I were getting ready in her room. We had both done our make up already and she was trying to do something with my hair because it seemed too long to just leave it be in a dress like this. I was sat in front of the mirror while she tried this off to the side, almost braided but not quite look.

"You never told me what you said you would."

"I know, I'm thinking of a way to stall."

"Don't. You're my little sister, Hol. You know you can tell me anything."

"You're not ready for this one."

"Try me."

I looked at her through the mirror and she stopped braiding," I found my mate."

She came around from my hair immediately to kneel next to me, her tight, white dress making it hard. My hands found themselves being tightly grasped in hers as she held onto me, eyes aglow.

"Who is he?"

"It's," I took a deep breath before finishing," Kian. I'm mated to Kian."

"Oh," she said, trying not to sound too estranged by the idea.

"He wants to reject me but we've already marked each other, that's why I seem different. Our scents are mixed now."

"Does Hannah know?"

"No and I think he wants to that way. He doesn't want me, No."

"Oh, Holly," she said as she pulled me into her arms. 

"What am I going to do? My mate doesn't want me."

"I'll tell you what you'll do, you're going to sit still while I finish with your hair then you'll march downstairs like the strong, beautiful wolf that you are and he will wish a hundred times over that he'd never even met her."

I let out a small chuckle at that. Nova always was good at convincing people, speeches are her thing. When ever any one needs to feel empowered they go to her. She went back to my hair after giving my temple a reassuring kiss.

_____

Lights were everywhere. Dozens of fairy lights strung from the trees and lanterns hung from low branches. They had left the meadow ground alone with it's grassy floors and the occasional flower. A few of the Omega wolves were setting up speakers in the trees so everyone could hear the music through out the dance area/meadow. I caught sight of Joseph wiring the actual stereo that would have the music playing on it. Mike was by Joseph so Nova took my arm and dragged me over to them.

"Hi, boys," she said when we got over there. She moved her arm so it was linked into mine instead of locked on it.

"Hey, babe," Mike replied, he tried to take her hand to pull her over to his side but she stayed rooted firmly next to me. My wolf smirked at the look of shock on  his face, I hid my own.

"You guys look nice tonight," Joseph nodded at our outfits. I glanced at my long red dress and Nova's short one. It had been a small battle but we had to fight to get the Luna to allow it but in the end she wore a tight dress that went down to mid thigh, it had long sleeves that went down to her wrists. It was plain white with no gems or lace whatsoever. Luna Catherine really wanted something that would stand out like mine so Nova let her choose a necklace for her to wear. It ended up being a golden Aztec necklace with a green gem in the center that was shaped to look like a ceremonial mask.

I went with our mother's favorite necklace, a simple silver chain with a single diamond in the shape of a heart at the center.

"Thank you."

"I've never seen you in anything like that, Hol. You feelin' alright?"

"I feel fine," I retorted.

"Okay."

"Let's go dance," Mike whispered to Nova. She looked at me.

"I'll be fine, Joseph's here with me. Go have fun."

"If you need anything come get me."

"I will."

She smiled at me and gave my arm one last squeeze before walking off with Mike to the crowd of people already dancing. Joseph made small talk with me while he worked the music. We were arguing the best band in the world when Lila came over to help me argue my part. She was done up in a sexy purple dress and an elegant up do.

"I'm just saying," she retorted to Joseph's remark about her crappy taste," If you can't even recognize good music then you shouldn't be the one in charge of the music."

"The Luna put me in charge of it, so unless you are insulting our Luna's taste then I suggest you shut your trap," he growled to her.

"Luna Catherine still listens to The Beach Boys. Don't look too much into it."

"Woah, little wolf, don't disrespect The Beach Boys."

My brother came up behind us and slung his arm over my and Joseph shoulders. From the smell of things he was well on his way to being drunk. In such a short time that's impressive, wolves have a higher metabolism that makes it 3 times harder to get drunk.

"Shouldn't you be with Arturo and Mike," I asked him, cringing away from the smell.

"Nah, they don't need me over there." he replied.

"Shouldn't you not be laying on my shoulder?"

"I think I'm right where I need to be, little sis."

"Lucas Emmitt Sterling, if you drool on my dress so help me-"

"That's not a very nice way to talk to your brother," Mike said behind me.

I turned around to see Mike and Nova with Kian, Arturo and Roberto in a small group next to them. Hannah was hanging onto Kian's arm wearing a little blue dress. Very, very little. Small enough to make my wolf growl with hate.

You need to stop. We have to be cordial.

Not happening, human. Not even if our life depended on it.

Arturo stepped forward and waited for Mike to introduce him to Joseph and Lila.

"This is Joseph King, my future Beta, and Lila Wilson, an omega. Lila is actually one of our most prized scouts and trackers."

"Is she fast?"

"Enough to get by," she inserted for herself," But you haven't seen speed until you've witnessed Kian and Holly racing."

"We're not that good."

"Are you kidding? Both or your speeds combined with your natural competitiveness," she kissed her fingers in an Italian motion while making a loud 'mwah' sound," Magnifico."

"You're exaggerating-"

"No, no. I would very much like to see this speed that Miss. Wilson speaks of, if you don't mind," Arturo said, giving Kian and I pointed looks.

I looked at Kian to see him staring back at me. Not me. He was watching my body, my almost invisible curves and small chest. Suddenly the way this dress hung onto my very shape made me uncomfortable. The soft fabric made my itch under his overwhelming gaze. I tried to casually cover myself more with my hands and arms.

'Why did you wear that?'

My head jerked up to stare at him only to see Hannah staring at me. Her eyes were filled with every bit of hate I felt with her. I felt my wolf beginning to take over.